Asked by Gabriel

Read the excerpt from Alexander the Great’s speech at Opis.


And then tell them that, when his fleet had successfully completed its voyage along the whole coast from India to Persis and you were safe back in Susa, you deserted him and took yourselves off, leaving him to the mercy of the very barbarians he had defeated. A fine tale indeed, sure to raise you in men’s esteem and meet with the gods’ approval.

Which rhetorical device does Alexander use?

antithesis
hyperbole
irony
meiosis

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
Irony — specifically verbal irony/sarcasm. Alexander appears to praise the action ("A fine tale... sure to raise you in men's esteem and meet with the gods' approval") while actually condemning their desertion, saying the opposite of what he means.